The Highway Forums General Discussion Theology Discussion Forum Chau is no Jim Elliot

FoxNews online headline: "American Missionary wrote 'God, I don't want to die' before being killed by remote tribe" (11/22/2018)

First sentence of the article:

"John Allen Chau, the American missionary who was killed by an isolated tribe on a remote Indian island, reportedly wrote in his journal hours before his death, 'God, I don't want to die.'"

On John Allen Chau's Instagram, he describes himself:

"John Chau
Following the Way.
Wilderness EMT.
PADI Advanced Open Water Diver.
Outbound Collective Explorer.
Perky Jerky Ambassador.
Snakebite Survivor."
https://www.instagram.com/johnachau/?utm_source=ig_embed


What is "Following the Way"?

https://www.followingtheway.me

Statement from this web page:

"Years ago, through prayer, study and observing the major faith traditions, I caught onto a pattern that I didn't know existed. I came to realize that the Shema of Judaism, the Great Commandment of Christianity, the Five Pillars of Islam, the Eightfold Path of Buddhism, and The Way of Taoism were common revelations of the same four essential truths. If this was true, I thought, then God must have reached out to us with this same message in every time, place, and culture to reveal to us the meaning of life's journey. What I have found since that time has astounded me."

Where do we find the "Confession of Faith" of this "Following the Way"? In the link above, you'll find a letter, a statement describing the beliefs, the link is:

http://www.reclaimingjesus.org

John Allen Chau is NOT a new version of James Elliot, an evangelical Christian missionary killed in Ecuador 1956 by Huaorani people. It is sad that the young man lost his life, and I'll not judge his spiritual state, but there is nothing of the true gospel in this "Following the Way", in the online links. Missing are the idea of "sin", "cross", "blood", "faith in Christ as the only way". This group is a socialist, leftist perversion of the gospel of Jesus Christ as Paul describes in 1 Cor. 15:1-7

Thank you for sharing. Two of your links have been most helpful. Someone who has been in contact with me is, I believe very involved in 'Following the Way.' Reading the articles in certain places was just like reading her messages which she had sent to me. Thank you, again.

You might want to check out the following link as well. Interesting interview as well.
http://www.dennyburk.com/mission-ag...bout-john-chaus-mission-to-remote-tribe/

Tom

Nothing in the article, Tom, addressed the theological/biblical/doctrinal concerns of the OP. From the information provided, it seems John Chaus embraced some form of syncretism, i.e., God gave different 'gospels' to various nations and peoples that are fundamentally contrary to the Gospel of Scripture. "Following the Way" of doing what is considered 'good', even in biblical Christianity does not, and cannot provide reconciliation with God. It is ONLY through faith in the person of Christ and a total reliance upon his perfect life and vicarious, sacrificial death and resurrection which results in the imputation of Christ's perfect righteousness to the believer that any are made right with God. Sanctification, walking the narrow path, is the fruit of justification and not the way. He, Jesus, is the only "way" back to God. Methinks that is the OP's concern and not anything concerning the motives, methods, etc. of the missionary journey itself, nor his qualifications outwardly for it which Denny Burk addressed.

I would add, that IF John Chaus embraced this "Following Way" personally, apart from Christ, his spirituality is questionable. And, if he taught that a man can be reconciled to God via "Following the way", then he was promoting damnable heresy.

Pilgrim

I think I put that link on here, back in December.
Unfortunately, the interview is no longer available. So I don’t remember anything about what is in the article.

Of course, I agree with you at your description of the Gospel and if indeed their Gospel presentation conflicts with that. I need to agree with you.

Tom